Many vacationers consider the Delta Air Traces SkyMiles program has decreased in worth over time. In 2023, Delta introduced SkyMiles modifications that have been so unpopular that it walked again among the modifications about one month later.
However Delta Medallion standing continues to be extraordinarily invaluable. One significantly invaluable perk obtainable to Platinum Medallion members and better is the Selection Advantages program. Whether or not you are a newly minted elite member or a longtime Delta loyalist, here is what that you must learn about Delta Selection Advantages, together with the right way to earn them, when to pick out them and which advantages are finest.
Methods to earn Delta Selection Advantages
You earn Delta Selection Advantages every calendar yr you qualify for Platinum or Diamond Medallion standing. Particularly, you earn one Selection Profit once you qualify for Platinum Medallion standing and three further Selection Advantages once you qualify for Diamond Medallion standing.
Delta now solely makes use of one metric — Medallion Qualification {Dollars} — for elite qualification. Listed here are the present calendar yr necessities for the 2 tiers of Delta Medallion standing that supply Selection Advantages as a perk:
- Platinum Medallion standing: 15,000 MQDs
- Diamond Medallion standing: 28,000 MQDs
You may earn MQDs on flights and different transactions with Delta and its companions, together with trip packages and spending on cobranded bank cards. Plus, beginning Feb. 1, 2024, cardholders of the next premium cobranded Delta bank cards get a lift of two,500 MQDs per card towards standing qualification every year:
If you wish to earn Delta Medallion standing, having a number of of those premium Delta playing cards in your pockets may very well be extraordinarily useful.
Associated: Which bank card must you use for Delta Air Traces flights?
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When to pick out Delta Selection Advantages
- 2022: Choose between once you certified in 2022 and when your standing expires Jan. 31, 2024
- 2023: Choose between once you certified in 2023 and when your standing expires Jan. 31, 2025
- 2024: Choose between once you qualify in 2024 and when your standing expires Jan. 31, 2026.
Some Selection Advantages expire on a set date no matter when you choose the profit. So, you may get probably the most worth from some Selection Advantages by deciding on the profit as quickly as you are eligible.
2023 Medallion yr Delta Selection Advantages
In case you certified for Delta Platinum or Diamond Medallion standing throughout the 2022 calendar yr, you earned standing for the 2023 Medallion yr and may choose your Selection Advantages by Jan. 31, 2024.
You may choose one Selection Profit once you qualify for Platinum Medallion standing and three further Selection Advantages once you qualify for Diamond Medallion standing. This is a have a look at your Selection Advantages choices when you earned Platinum or Diamond standing for the 2023 Medallion yr (primarily based in your 2022 exercise):
Platinum Selection Advantages (select 1) | Diamond Selection Advantages (select 3) | |
---|---|---|
Improve certificates | 4 regional | 4 international
8 regional 2 international and 4 regional |
Bonus miles | 20,000 | 25,000 |
Delta Sky Membership advantages | None | 1 particular person membership
1 visitor go 1 government membership (requires 2 decisions until you could have a person membership legitimate by way of Jan. 31, 2024) |
Delta journey voucher | $200 | $200 |
Present Delta Medallion standing | 1 Silver Medallion | 1 Gold Medallion |
Now, let’s take a more in-depth have a look at every possibility and the worth it’d present when you certified for Delta Platinum or Diamond Medallion standing throughout the 2022 calendar yr.
Improve certificates
You might use your one Selection Advantages choice after incomes Platinum Medallion standing for 4 regional improve certificates. Or when you reached Diamond Medallion, every of your decisions might get you 4 international, eight regional, or two international and 4 regional improve certificates.
These one-way improve certificates give greater precedence than Medallion complimentary improve requests. You may apply these improve certificates to most fares besides Delta fundamental economic system for a one-class, space-available improve.
Nevertheless, you’d have to guide and fly utilizing these certificates by the top of Jan. 31, 2024, since they might be related together with your 2023 Medallion yr. As such, they is probably not the most suitable choice in case you are deciding on your 2023 Medallion yr Selection Profit(s) now.
Bonus miles
Together with your Selection Advantages, you’ll be able to choose bonus miles for your self, one other SkyMiles member or a SkyWish charity. Platinum Medallion members can choose 20,000 bonus miles, whereas Diamond Medallion members can choose 25,000 miles per alternative.
TPG’s valuations peg the worth of Delta SkyMiles at 1.2 cents every. So, 20,000 bonus miles are value about $240, whereas 25,000 bonus miles are value about $300. Bonus miles are a great possibility in case you are deciding on your 2023 Medallion yr Selection Profit(s) now.
Associated: Methods to redeem Delta SkyMiles for optimum worth
Delta Sky Membership advantages
When you earn Diamond Medallion standing, you can use a number of of your Selection Advantages picks for the next Delta Sky Membership entry advantages:
- Particular person membership: Get complimentary entry to Delta Sky Membership areas across the globe for your self by way of Jan. 31, 2024.
- Visitor go: Improve complimentary Delta Sky Membership entry from an eligible bank card to incorporate complimentary entry for as much as two friends (or your partner or home associate and kids beneath 21) touring with you thru Jan. 31, 2024.
- Govt membership (requires two Selection Advantages until you have already got a Delta Sky Membership particular person membership legitimate by way of Jan. 31, 2024): Get complimentary entry to Delta Sky Membership areas across the globe for your self and as much as two friends (or your partner or home associate and kids beneath 21) by way of Jan. 31, 2024.
You will solely get these advantages by way of Jan. 31, 2024. As such, we do not advocate this feature in case you are deciding on your 2023 Medallion yr Selection Profit(s) now.
Delta journey voucher
You may choose a Delta journey voucher value $200 per alternative. You are the one one who can use the voucher, however you should use it towards the Delta airfare portion of a Delta Holidays bundle.
Vouchers are legitimate 12 months from issuance, which ought to happen inside 48 hours of choice. As such, it is a first rate possibility in case you are deciding on your 2023 Medallion yr Selection Profit(s) now.
Present Delta Medallion standing
Lastly, you’ll be able to choose to reward Delta Medallion standing to another person. Platinum Medallion members can reward Silver Medallion standing, whereas Diamond Medallion members can reward Gold Medallion standing.
Your reward recipient will need to have no Medallion standing or a decrease tier of Medallion standing. Nevertheless, this standing will solely final by way of Jan. 31, 2024, so we do not advocate this feature in case you are deciding on your 2023 Medallion yr Selection Profit(s) now.
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Which Delta Selection Profit is finest for the 2023 Medallion yr?
As famous beforehand, you have to choose 2023 Medallion yr Selection Advantages by Jan. 31, 2024. Nevertheless, lots of the perks expire Jan. 31, 2024.
So, you may wish to select your advantages rigorously. The best choice for many members deciding on a number of 2023 Medallion yr Selection Advantages now might be bonus miles. The bonus miles ought to present extra worth than the journey voucher, plus Delta SkyMiles do not expire.
2024 Medallion yr Delta Selection Advantages
In case you certified for Delta Platinum or Diamond Medallion standing throughout the 2023 calendar yr, you earned standing for the 2024 Medallion yr and may choose your Selection Advantages by Jan. 31, 2025.
You may choose one Selection Profit once you qualify for Platinum Medallion standing and three further Selection Advantages once you qualify for Diamond Medallion standing. This is a have a look at your choices when you earned Platinum or Diamond standing for the 2024 Medallion yr:
Platinum Selection Advantages (select 1) | Diamond Selection Advantages (select 3) | |
---|---|---|
Improve certificates | 4 regional | 4 international
8 regional 2 international and 4 regional |
Bonus miles | 20,000 | 25,000 |
Delta Sky Membership advantages | None | 1 government membership (requires 3 decisions) |
Medallion Qualification {Dollars} towards 2025 Medallion yr | 500 | 1,000 |
Present Delta Medallion standing | 2 Silver Medallion | 2 Gold Medallion |
Delta Holidays Expertise credit score (can solely choose as soon as per Medallion yr) | $400 | $500 |
Delta American Specific assertion credit score (solely obtainable on choose playing cards; can solely choose as soon as per Medallion tier) | $200 | $500 |
Delta journey voucher | $250 | $250 |
Sustainable aviation gasoline contribution | $250 | $250 |
Starbucks Rewards Stars (can solely choose as soon as per Medallion tier) | 4,000 | 4,000 |
Whereas some Selection Advantages are an identical to earlier years, others are new. So, let’s take a look at every possibility and the worth they may present when you certified for Delta Platinum or Diamond Medallion standing throughout the 2023 calendar yr.
Improve certificates
After incomes Platinum Medallion standing primarily based on 2023 exercise, you can use your one Selection Advantages choice for 4 regional improve certificates. And when you earned Diamond Medallion standing, every further alternative might offer you one of many following:
- 4 international improve certificates
- Eight regional improve certificates
- Two international and 4 regional improve certificates
These improve certificates give greater precedence than Medallion complimentary improve requests and may get you a one-class, space-available improve on most fares besides Delta fundamental economic system.
Nevertheless, you have to guide and fly utilizing these certificates by the top of Jan. 31, 2025, since they might be related together with your 2024 Medallion yr.
Associated: The final word information to getting upgraded on Delta flights
Bonus miles
Together with your Selection Advantages, you’ll be able to choose bonus miles for your self, one other SkyMiles member or a SkyWish charity. On the Platinum Medallion tier, you can select 20,000 bonus miles (value $240 primarily based on TPG’s valuations). And on the Diamond Medallion tier, you can select 25,000 bonus miles (value $300) per alternative.
Delta Sky Membership advantages
On the Delta Diamond Medallion tier, you can commerce all three Selection Advantages decisions for a Delta Sky Membership government membership. This membership — sometimes costing $1,495 or 149,500 miles — offers you and as much as two friends (or your partner or home associate and kids beneath 21) limitless complimentary Delta Sky Membership entry by way of Jan. 31, 2025.
MQDs towards the 2025 Medallion yr
You need to use Selection Advantages picks for MQDs for the 2025 Medallion yr. You’d get 500 MQDs in your alternative on the Platinum Medallion tier and 1,000 MQDs per alternative on the Diamond Medallion tier.
As these Medallion Qualification {Dollars} will rely towards your qualification within the 2024 calendar yr for the 2025 Medallion yr, you may see them in your account in January 2024.
Present Delta Medallion standing
You need to use your Selection Advantages to reward Delta Medallion standing to another person. Every alternative is value two presents, with Platinum Medallion members capable of reward Silver Medallion standing to a pair of vacationers and Diamond Medallion members capable of reward Gold Medallion standing.
The gifted standing will final by way of Jan. 31, 2025, no matter when you choose your 2024 Medallion yr Selection Advantages.
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Delta Holidays Expertise credit score
You might use your one Selection Advantages choice after you earn Platinum Medallion standing for a $400 credit score towards a Delta Holidays bundle. Or you can wait till you earn Diamond Medallion standing for a $500 credit score. Nevertheless, you’ll be able to solely choose a Delta Holidays Expertise credit score as a Selection Profit as soon as per Medallion yr.
The credit score is legitimate for one yr after it is issued, and a two-night minimal keep is required.
Delta American Specific assertion credit score
If you’re the first cardmember of the Delta Platinum Amex, Delta Platinum Enterprise Amex, Delta Reserve Amex or Delta Reserve Enterprise Amex, you’ll be able to select an announcement credit score in your card as a Selection Profit at every Medallion standing tier.
You may select a $200 assertion credit score on the Platinum Medallion tier and a $500 assertion credit score on the Diamond Medallion tier. Nevertheless, you’ll be able to’t use a number of Selection Advantages to get a number of assertion credit on the Diamond Medallion tier.
Associated: Delta SkyMiles Reserve vs. Delta SkyMiles Reserve Enterprise
Delta journey voucher
You may choose a Delta journey voucher together with your Selection Advantages, value $250 per alternative. You are the one one who can use the voucher, however you should use it towards the Delta flight portion of a Delta Holidays bundle.
Vouchers are legitimate for 12 months from their issuance, which ought to happen inside 48 hours of when you choose the voucher.
Sustainable aviation gasoline contribution
You need to use your Selection Advantages to assist Delta’s use of sustainable aviation gasoline. Delta will apply $250 towards the incremental price of sustainable aviation gasoline as a substitute of conventional jet gasoline for every alternative.
Associated: How one can donate your factors and miles to charity
Starbucks Rewards stars
Lastly, U.S.-based SkyMiles members who’re enrolled in Starbucks Rewards and have linked their accounts might select 4,000 Starbucks Rewards stars as a Selection Profit as soon as at every tier. Nevertheless, stars will expire six months after the calendar month they have been deposited.
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Which Delta Selection Profit is finest for the 2024 Medallion yr?
You will need to choose 2024 Medallion yr Selection Advantages by Jan. 31, 2025. Lots of the perks expire Jan. 31, 2025, however that will nonetheless go away you loads of time to make use of them.
On the Platinum Medallion tier, the most suitable choice for many vacationers is 4 regional improve certificates, 20,000 bonus miles or the $400 Delta Holidays Expertise credit score. Nevertheless, the only option for you’ll rely on whether or not you’d be capable of get good worth from the regional improve certificates and whether or not you propose to guide a Delta Holidays Expertise quickly.
On the Diamond Medallion tier, some mixture of improve certificates, 25,000 bonus miles, the $500 Delta Holidays Expertise credit score and the $500 Delta Amex assertion credit score will enchantment to most Delta loyalists. The Delta Sky Membership government membership may enchantment to Diamond Medallion members who ceaselessly journey with relations or pals. Nevertheless, giving up all three decisions could also be too troublesome.
2025 Medallion yr Delta Selection Advantages
In case you qualify for Delta Platinum or Diamond Medallion standing throughout the 2024 calendar yr, you may earn standing for the 2025 Medallion yr.
Delta hasn’t but up to date its Selection Advantages web page for the 2025 Medallion yr. However I count on you may nonetheless be capable of choose one Selection Profit once you qualify for Platinum Medallion standing and three further Selection Advantages once you qualify for Diamond Medallion standing. I additionally count on you may want to pick out your Selection Advantages by Jan. 31, 2026.
Delta might proceed among the 2024 Medallion yr Selection Profit choices. However primarily based on the knowledge supplied by Delta about its modifications to the Delta SkyMiles program, we all know this system is providing the next new or improved choices for the 2025 Medallion yr:
Platinum Selection Advantages | Diamond Selection Advantages | |
---|---|---|
Bonus miles | 30,000 | 35,000 |
Delta Sky Membership advantages | None | 1 particular person membership (requires 2 decisions) |
MQD accelerator for the subsequent Medallion qualification yr | 1,000 | 2,000 |
Delta journey voucher | $300 | $350 |
Wheels Up flight credit score | Unknown quantity | Unknown quantity |
As we haven’t any further info from Delta, we can’t go into further element about these Selection Profit choices now. Nevertheless, we’ll replace this publish as soon as the 2025 Medallion yr Selection Advantages are absolutely unveiled.
Backside line
There are various choices in the case of Delta Selection Advantages. These advantages can present vital worth, so making an knowledgeable alternative is essential — particularly since some perks might expire rapidly when you select them close to the top of your Medallion yr.